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Honouring Heroes
Fanshawe marks 75th anniversary of Canada's role in the liberation of the Netherlands.
In April 1945, the First Canadian Army launched a mission that ultimately led to the liberation of the Netherlands on May 5 of that year. The Canadian contribution to the liberation is still commemorated in the Netherlands every year with ceremonies, events and gifts of tulips to Canada.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation, the Dutch Canadian Society of London and District donated more than 2,000 tulip bulbs to Fanshawe. The bulbs were planted at the London Campus by students in the Horticulture Technician and Landscape Design programs, some of whom had personal connections to this meaningful gesture.
“Being a Dutch-Canadian is so much more than just my heritage; it is my identity,” said Alex Van Ankum, a student in the Landscape Design program, at a special event on May 5, 2023. “My work ethic, my drive to achieve and my passion for horticulture all derive from growing up on a Dutch farm.”
“Looking at the tulips planted, it puts a smile on my face to see a little piece of Holland right here in Ontario.”
Fanshawe has strong connections with the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2020, the College became Canada’s first Military-Connected Campus, providing serving members, veterans and their families with career opportunities and additional supports for the transition to civilian life. In 2023, Fanshawe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four other Ontario colleges to collaborate on a framework to offer military-connected students barrier-free and local access to program completion.
“We thank the Dutch Canadian Society of London and District for their generous donation of tulips to our campus,” said Peter Devlin, President of Fanshawe College. “The flowers serve as a symbol of the sacrifices made and the lasting friendship between our two countries.”
